Partnerships in Employment: Building strong coalitions to facilitate systems change for youth and young adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In response to continuing disparity in the employment outcomes of young adults, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities established an initiative to support state consortia to implement systems change with an explicit focus on policies, infrastructure, and collaboration across state agencies and other stakeholders. Eight states received 5 year grants under the Partnerships in Employment project. OBJECTIVE: This manuscript provides an overview of the initiative, and key lessons learned including the importance of a backbone organization, the need for a long term approach to change and capacity building, the role of data as a communication mechanism, integration across initiatives, linking local implementation and state policy, and intentional investment in communication. CONCLUSION: A holistic model for addressing systems change is offered that reflects the importance of intentional investment in relationships and connecting activities that link stakeholders across state governmental systems change, local implementation, and advocacy.